Bethlehem banks on tourist invasion

On the surface, Minister for Tourism in Palestine would seem to be as redundant a job as literary editor of Hello! magazine. However, there is one - and she is apparently doing a fine job.

Since moving from Hanover last year, Khouloud Daibes, a 43-year-old architect, has successfully lobbied the German government to lift security warnings for travellers to Bethlehem and bolstered an advertising campaign that has since reached the UK and Spain. Acutely aware of the fact the Palestinian Authority is unable to promote itself as an independent destination, with Israel still in control of its airport and security, Ms Daibes has focused on cooperation with the Israeli Tourism Ministry to considerable effect.

Today is an important date for both Ms Daibes and the Middle East as a region. For